McMurtrey’s role is unchanged, Ybarra spokesman Jeff Church said. He will work on internal operations, and take the lead on developing and implementing the department’s strategic plan.

McMurtrey’s hourly pay will increase, slightly. As a contractor, he earned $50 per hour, with his annual pay capped at $105,000. He will now make $50.49 per hour, but in order to comply with Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho guidelines, McMurtrey will take two months off annually, Church said. That 10-month schedule could keep McMurtrey’s salary well below his previous $105,000 salary cap.

As Mountain Home district superintendent, McMurtrey was Ybarra’s old boss, before her November 2014 election. McMurtrey is one of several key Ybarra hires with Mountain Home connections.

The job was posted April 6. According to the posting, the legislative liaison’s duties include working on the superintendent’s budget proposals and working with legislators “to secure passage of the superintendent’s policy initiatives.”

Corder, a former state senator from Mountain Home, was hired shortly before the 2015 legislative session — Ybarra’s first as state superintendent. Ybarra has not commented on his departure. In a vague interview with Idaho Public Television, Corder said his mid-session departure wasn’t planned. “I think it’s just the way it worked out.”

The salary for the legislative liaison’s job is negotiable, according to the job posting. Corder’s salary was $108,139.

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